Let’s see if I’ve got this straight. US-installed Ukrainian putschist leader, in cahoot with US and UK Russophobes, staged last Sunday’s anti-Russia provocation in the Black Sea’s Kerch Strait, Russian waters.

Entering them without permission violates Articles 19 and 21 of the UN Convention on Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) – an indisputable breach of international law, along with violating 2003 Russia/Ukraine treaty-defined rules, relating to Kerch Strait freedom of navigation rights and obligations.

Requesting and receiving permission to sail through the strait is required, Russian waters between the Crimean Republic and Russian Federation mainland.

Acting extrajudicially, Kiev was the aggressor, Russia the aggrieved. Yet it’s unjustifiably blamed for Ukraine’s clear treaty violations – putschists and Russophobes supported over upholding rule of law principles, continuing the plot to vilify Moscow no matter what it does or doesn’t do.

Putin said there were “clear signs of a provocation prepared in advance” by Kiev…“a pretext to impose martial law in the country” for domestic political purposes.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova blasted Kiev, calling Sunday’s action “a deliberate provocation. I don’t have any doubts that some of our Western partners (sic) knew about it, or even participated in planning it. This is why all of this is not accidental.”

She’s right about Western involvement, most likely US and UK hardliners. She’s dead wrong calling them Russia’s “partners.”

The Kremlin has none in the West, adversaries and mortal enemies alone. What she and other Russian officials know well, they fail to explain to their discredit – pretending a relationship that doesn’t exist. How can it in the face of hostile/illegal Western sanctions on Russia, Brussels caving to US interests.

Hours earlier Thursday, Putin’s meeting with Trump on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Buenos Aires was confirmed.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov announced what the White House confirmed, saying talks will focus on “bilateral relations, on matters of strategic security and disarmament, and on regional conflicts” – namely Syria and Ukraine, adding:

“We don’t have to agree on all issues, which is probably impossible, but we need to talk. It’s in the interests of not only our two countries, it’s in the interests of the whole world.”

The meeting was scheduled for around noon on Saturday, December 1, at the Buenos Aires Park Hyatt, Peskov saying it would “last about an hour.”

No longer. It’s cancelled. An hour after Trump on Thursday said it’s a “very good time” to meet with Putin in Argentina, he tweeted:

“Based on the fact that the ships and sailors have not been returned to Ukraine from Russia, I have decided it would be best for all parties concerned to cancel my previously scheduled meeting in Argentina with President Vladimir Putin. I look forward to a meaningful summit again as soon as this situation is resolved!”

Peskov wasn’t informed of the change, he said, adding the cancellation will give Putin more time to meet with other world leaders.

Russophobes succeeded in cancelling the planned meeting by both leaders at the G20 to discuss vital issues, going all-out to prevent improved bilateral relations.

Stephen Lendman was born in 1934 in Boston, MA. In 1956, he received a BA from Harvard University. Two years of US Army service followed, then an MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania in 1960. After working seven years as a marketing research analyst, he joined the Lendman Group family business in 1967. He remained there until retiring at year end 1999. Writing on major world and national issues began in summer 2005. In early 2007, radio hosting followed. Lendman now hosts the Progressive Radio News Hour on the Progressive Radio Network three times weekly. Distinguished guests are featured. Listen live or archived. Major world and national issues are discussed. Lendman is a 2008 Project Censored winner and 2011 Mexican Journalists Club international journalism award recipient.

About Stephen

Stephen Lendman was born in 1934 in Boston, MA. In 1956, he received a BA from Harvard University. Two years of US Army service followed, then an MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania in 1960. After working seven years as a marketing research analyst, he joined the Lendman Group family business in 1967.